California and structural engineering under 10kw

On another post someone said this -

“There is no structural engineering stamp because it is not required for systems under 10 kW in California”

Upon reading this, I am trying to understand what it means.

I have been trying to get solar for a while now and finally hired someone. Long story short, he doesn’t know what he is doing.

Now I am getting very familiar with solar out of need and necessity of not getting ripped off. I am to the point where I think I can do almost all of it myself.

I am just wondering if the 10kw or less rule means that I can install the solar panels on my gazebo without having to get permits for the gazebo, or am I understanding this in correctly?

Thank you

The no engineering exemption applies when mounting to a house roof, with a system like Ironridge or Unirac. It is taken for granted that the house is stable enough to hold the solar system

Mounting to an unpermitted gazebo would almost certainly not be given this exemption, unless the inspector let it slide.

A permitted outbuilding like a barn, maybe, idk if it always extends to outbuildings outright.

FYI, that is for California, if your location is correct as PR then you need to work with your permitting office to understand what the rules for your location. Generally speaking of your are in a high wind location which for example Florida is, you have to get a review and PE stamped to stamp the plans.

Thank you, I have a vacation home in PR, this is for my main residence in California. Makes sense about the roof vs gazebo, thanks

This 10k rule seems fishy to me. For CA roof mount it depends on rafter vs truss and spacing as well as many other details. See CA Solar Permitting Guidebook as an intro. For gazebo, I would guess it will require a structural engineering approval, but only way to know for sure is to contact local AHJ

Zeebest001 said:

“There is no structural engineering stamp because it is not required for systems under 10 kW in California”

Click to expand...

Realize what is meant by Structural Engineering stamp. that is a very specific phrase and meaning.
ie a licensed Structural Engineer reviewing structural design (ie load limits, wind, etc) for an installation
and NOTHING to do with anything electrical (for the most part, other than weight, hole/penetrations implications for load bearing elements, etc)

so that statement would have NOTHING to do with permitting a PV system install, grid-tie implications, etc.

Spoke with local jurisdiction, Placer County, prior to install last year. They were very relaxed about roof mount despite the house being 50 years old, tile roof, and no engineering calcs. Only cared about RSD's, mounting hardware being eng calc'd and setbacks. Interestingly when I asked about installing panels on a barn/shop permitted as an agricultural building they then wanted it engineered.

Also, the county confirmed per the actual permit application that if the ground mount is no taller than 7ft at its highest point no eng calcs are required.

All of that makes sense... house roof was engineered, and space load capacity means most rooftop solar (installed properly) is fine
Panels can fly (danger to others) so height consideration for ground mount makes sense

Agriculture building, not required to be built to same specs (and not inspected for such), though, if you did overload it, and roof collapsed, hmm on requiring engineering now. maybe because Shop, not barn only???